'Then and now' photos show progress in Christchurch earthquake cleanup

In this composite image (top) earthquake damage is seen at the Christchurch Cathedral Citizens War Memorial, seven months after the Christchurch earthquake, on Sept. 28, 2011 and (bottom) the same location as seen ahead of the one year Christchurch earthquake anniversary on Feb. 21, 2012 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Martin Hunter / Getty Images

In this composite image (top) rescuers search for survivors in a collapsed building in Manchester Street on Feb. 22, 2011and (bottom) the same location as seen ahead of the one year Christchurch earthquake anniversary on Feb. 21, 2012 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Martin Hunter / Getty Images

In this composite image (top) collapsed buildings in Manchester Street on Feb. 22, 2011 and (bottom) the same location as seen ahead of the one year Christchurch earthquake anniversary on Feb. 21, 2012 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The reading was followed by two minutes of silence at 12:51 p.m., the minute the magnitude-6.1 quake struck. It destroyed thousands of homes and much of downtown Christchurch, causing 30 billion dollars ($25 billion) in damage by the government's estimate.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker told the crowd at the park that the city would never be the same again. He said people disagree about how the city should be rebuilt, but that one day it will again be a great place to live and work.